Use of Quickfix for tape fixation of chest tubes: a multi-center doctor-nurse questionnaire survey and fixing strength comparison study

BACKGROUND: Several tape fixations for chest tube were proposed, although none have a clear scientific basis. We performed a multicenter survey study to investigate the fixation of chest tubes using an available adhesive tape. We evaluated the strength of tape fixation and the effect of the skin coating material used on the fixation strength. METHODS: A multi-center questionnaire survey was administered in hospitals with a thoracic surgery division. The net promoter score (NPS) was used to measure the medical staff’s satisfaction with an adhesive tape fixation. Fixing strength was calculated as follows: a chest tube was fixed using each taping method to a polyethylene plate and was pulled out in the long axis direction. While pulling out, the maximum resistance force [Newton (N)] and total resistance force [Joule (J)] were measured to calculate the fixing strength. RESULTS: The doctors’ NPS showed no significant difference between handmade tape fixation and Quickfix {7 [5–8] vs. 10 [5–10] points, P=0.34}. The nurses’ NPS showed no significant difference between handmade tape fixation and Quickfix {5 [5–8] vs. 5 [5–7] points, P=0.72}. The average maximum resistance force was the highest for Quickfix (1.36 J, 65.4 N) and a type of handmade fixation (three sheets stuck with foundation tape plus Y-shape slit plus Ω-shape tape; 1.61 J and 54.0 N). The fixation strength of Quickfix did not decrease with a skin coating agent (from 1.24 to 1.11 J and 63.0 to 66.6 N), although that of a handmade tape fixation decreased (from 1.49 to 0.90 J, 52.6 to 38.1 N). CONCLUSIONS: Quickfix provided secure fixation, regardless of the tube size or skin coating. Quickfix may be the best for standardized fixation because it is not only a stronger agent but is safe, simple, inexpensive, reliable, and can be used successfully by anyone.